A method of continuous hydrothermal carbonization of sludge containing organic matter involves a step of hydrothermal reaction carried out in a reactor, and at least one cooling step in which the sludge having undergone the hydrothermal reaction step is cooled. The hydrothermal reaction step includes: a step of injection of sludge in which the sludge is injected into the reactor by a first inlet; a step of injection of steam in which steam is injected into the reactor by a second inlet, the second inlet being distinct from the first inlet; a step of circulation, in which a mixture consisting of the sludge and the steam injected into the reactor is placed in circulation within the reactor; a step of continuous extraction of at least a portion of the mixture contained in the reactor by a sludge outlet. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out such a method.

This present invention relates to compositions and methods of microbial enhanced oil recovery using Bacillus subtilis strains. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for performing oil degradation with Bacillus subtilis strains. The compositions and methods of the present invention are also used for enhanced commercial biosurfactant and enzyme production.

A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin, remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or other materials are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the walls and optionally the ceiling include discrete units. Such vaults are re-configurable.

The present invention relates to a method for purifying raw phosphoric acid by adding ashes originating from waste incineration plants, as well as calcium hydroxide and at least one sulfide, and by wet-chemical digestion for obtaining (producing) calcium sulfate, pure phosphoric acid, metal salt solution and/or calcium hydrogen phosphates (e.g. triple superphosphate).

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, equipment, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which hazardous gases are removed, destroyed and/or converted. The treatments are efficient and can reduce the recalcitrance of the lignocellulosic material so that it is easier to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., sugars, alcohols, sugar alcohols and energy, from the lignocellulosic material.

The present invention relates to a process for treating primary sludge in a wastewater treatment plant, comprising the steps of admixing an organic coagulant and/or polymer to wastewater; allowing a primary treatment of the wastewater in the presence of the organic coagulant or polymer; separating solids as a primary sludge from said primary treatment; and dewatering the primary sludge. The present invention further relates to a method of improving primary sludge dewaterability and improving energy balance of a wastewater treatment plant.

Disclosed herein are processes, systems, and catalysts for improving pyrolysis technology. The disclosed processes and systems utilize a catalyst to increase pyrolysis gas (py-gas) and decrease bio-oil yields in pyrolysis reactions. The disclosed catalysts may include biochar derived from pyrolysis of industrial residuals, such as pyrolysis of wastewater biosolids (WB) and paper mill sludge (PMS). The disclosed catalysts also may include ash derived from incineration of wastewater biosolids (biosolids incineration ash (BIA)).

At least one aspect of the technology provides a self-contained processing facility configured to convert organic, high water-content waste, such as fecal sludge and garbage, into electricity while also generating and collecting potable water.

Provided is a novel carbonization treatment method for carbonizing a biomass material containing a large amount of water at an extremely low temperature, and a method for producing carbide. A water-containing biomass material (10) is carbonized while maintaining the biomass material (10) under treatment conditions including an oxygen-containing atmosphere and a temperature range of 70 C. or greater and less than 100 C., without a drying step for removing or reducing the water forcibly. At this time, preferably the water content (percentage) of the biomass material (10) at the start of carbonization while maintained under the treatment conditions is within a range of 40 to 80% inclusive, and preferably the biomass material (10) is thus maintained for two weeks or longer. Further, as the biomass material (10), one material or a mixture of two or more materials selected from waste biomass materials and plant (cultivated crop) biomass materials such as food waste, livestock excrement, agricultural waste, marine waste, and forest waste, can be applied.